Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 UHD Disc Problems (Chapter 10 - 11)
Seen about a dozen reports of freezing, skipping and/or corrupted video problems with playback of the 4K/UHD disc of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 disc. One affected owner was lucky enough to have a store swap out the disc, and that played OK. (No more Steelbooks at that store so they opened a standard UHD case for a disc swap - rare to see a store do that.) Some affected owners thought it may be limited to the BestBuy 4K Steelbook batch so I asked a friend that owns the BB exclusive 4K Steelbook if he'd seen any problems with disc playback (typically seen in Chapter 10 to 11 - some noted skipping a chapter at that point, others freezing or distorted graphics).

"GotG V2 UHD Playback from BestBuy UHD Steelbook
No problems at all playing back my UHD Disc from the BB 4K/3D steelbook.
Tested with both Samsung K8500 (firmware 1011.4) & Oppo 203 (Aug 23rd beta firmware).
Both use the dual HDMI cable method (main/video HDMI to TV (LG 65C6 OLED), 2nd HDMI to AVR for audio).
Personally I prefer the 3D disc - outstanding 3D and has IMAX ratio changes (like GotG v1).
A must own for 3D fans!
(FYI: Oppo 203 froze on 3D disc when using Play from main menu. Selecting start from Chapter 1 works. Known issue (black screen/hung trying to show the warning screen?) with Disney 3D discs 4 firmware versions ago (at least), still not fixed. 8 months of updates & some basic functions are still buggy sometimes. A/V sync, HDMI In, HDR-SDR (black crush) still not fixed. This is why I kept the cheap K8500 despite having less features, as it's been far more stable for basic playback.)
-regards, Doc"

Just saw a problem post from someone that bought the standard 4K/UHD release from Target, said they replaced it and the 2nd copy had the same problem, as did a 3rd copy from Walmart. (Said tested in Samsung UHD player and Xbox 1S - no firmware version mentioned but later said it was 'latest'.) Most said the disc looked pristine (no scratches, damage or fingerprints) and some mentioned cleaning the disc didn't help. (A common tip from Oppo owners has been cleaning discs with Dawn, followed by a warm water rinse and wiping with a microfiber cloth.) There's been a history of layer change problems with BD-100 discs, sometimes solved by player firmware updates, but GotG v2 is listed as a BD-66. (For those with Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 disc problems, you can try contacting Disney at https://www.disneystudioshelp.com/contact-bddvd.html.)

General fixes and disc compatibility improvements based on recent and upcoming UHD Blu-ray releases as well as user-submitted samples. (May fix black screen issue with new Lionsgate 4K movies with Dolby Vision.)

See page for install instructions and download for update via USB or burned Disc.
(FYI: Most AVRs don't pass DV. If not, use a direct HDMI connection to DV compatible TV.)

(Aug 22, 2017) LG UP970 4K UHD Player Dolby Vision Firmware Update - The long awaited LG UP970 Firmware Update to add Dolby Vision is reportedly available now via the player's update check. (There are no firmware update downloads at LG's support page for the UP970.) US owner reports say the new version is BD.37767.70811.C. Early feedback from a UP970 owner noted the same raised/floating black levels in the black bars in some scenes of Dolby Vision discs like Power Rangers that had been reported earlier with the only other DV compatible players to date - the Oppo UDP-203 and 205. (Since both DV disc players now show this, is it the DV encoding/disc or the DV TV's fault? Most suspect the 4k/UHD DV disc encoding as VUDU DV versions of the same movies (on the same TVs) reportedly don't have the issue.)BTW: Most AVRs aren't Dolby Vision compatible. If yours isn't, use the UHD Player's main HDMI port cable direct to the DV TV and the player's 2nd HDMI connection to the AVR for Audio.
(Update: Saw a post saying LG support may have pulled this update due to unnamed problems.)

(June 5, 2017) OS X GarageBand v10.2 (OS X 10.11 or later)
- New modern design with improved ease of use
- Adds Touch Bar support to quickly navigate your project & perform instruments
- 3 new Drummers who play percussion in the styles of Pop, Songwriter, and Latin
- Remotely add new tracks to your project using GarageBand on your iPhone or iPad
- New Drummer loops that can be customized with performance controls

(I thought the "drop-off" problem was WiFi Network/MusicCast related, but an LG OLED owner said it seems to have helped with his A3060 Video stability.)
Here's the USA Yamaha Firmware page with version 2.05 D/L for 2015 Aventage RX-A1050/RX-A2050/RX-A3050/RX-V1079/RX-V2079/RX-V3079 models.
Here's the USA Yamaha Firmware page with version 1.27 D/L for 2016 Aventage RX-A1060/RX-A2060/RX-A3060/RX-V1081/RX-V2081/RX-V3081 models.
Here's the USA CX-A5100 Firmware page for CX-A5100 pre-pro that has v2.05 update.

Support for Manual setup of less than 32Hz with parametric EQ (15.6Hz or more)

Other operation improvement

The Enhanced DSP program was only on the 2016 RX-A3060 receiver. Support for lower frequency Subwoofer PEQ was new for the 2016 Aventage receivers. (I wish they were more specific about "other operation improvement".)
I know RX-A3050 owners are hoping for the same update, but I doubt it will happen. They may have updated the CX-A5100 Pre-Pro since it was not replaced with a 2016 model.

(Nov 2016) 30 Days of Free Grateful Dead MP3 Downloads (dead.net official site)
"Each day in November we will be giving away a high-quality 320Kbps MP3 download. That's 30 days of unreleased Grateful Dead tracks from the vault, selected by Dead archivist and producer David Lemieux!"
(As of Dec. 1st, page now has all 30 downloads. Cover Art link in the sidebar.)

The D/L page has "Additional information about DTS-HD and DTS:X playback" (PDF) with info on new DTS Mode Options in the Advanced Setup menu. DTS Mode 1 (default/normal) and a Mode 2 that should fix the issue with some older blu-ray players not bitstreaming DTS movies with DTS:X updated receivers. (See article from March here on this issue with previous firmware. It's a DTS-related EDID fix IIRC.)How to Change the Advanced Setup to DTS Mode 2 IF you have an Affected Player
(The Default DTS Mode is 1 - no need to change it if your player bitstreams DTS OK)
With AVR off, Advanced Setup is done by holding the "Straight" button under the front cover, then push 'main zone'/power button. Advanced setup info shows only on the AVR display - see manual for details. Using the "Program" horizontal rocker switch, the DTS Mode option is just after the 4K Mode option. Pressing "Straight" button changes the Mode setting. (Wish the new DTS Modes was an option setting for an Input instead. That way you could set Mode 2 just for the input of an affected player instead of a global setting. If not, at least have it an option in the normal (on screen) setup options.) No info yet if mode 2 has any downside for players that were not affected by the DTS bitstreaming issue, but if not why have 2 modes? (I read a post on the fix in a Denon update but it didn't mention an options setting.)

See above notes on the new DTS Modes if you have an affected Blu-Ray player.

Other Yamaha Receiver Firmware Updates - including Napster/Rhapsody fixes:
In addition to the above 2015/2016 model updates, there are also firmware updates posted July 28th, 2016 for some earlier Yamaha Receiver models (2010 to 2014 Aventage Ax000, Ax010, Ax020, Ax030, Ax040, and perhaps others) that include Napster/Rhapsody updates required to continue using the service. Although you can use the receiver's network update, I prefer using the download updaters installed via (FAT formatted) USB flash drive. Download pages can be found by visiting the Yamaha Support site for your country and search for your model number. (Here's the USA Yamaha support site downloads page.) For some models there are other fixes included, related to using the Yamaha AV Controller app, blu-ray audio dropouts (x040 series) and/or network fixes. (If anyone finds this update helps with the repeated HDMI video dropouts with Macs some reported in the past, let me know. A Mac Mini OS X 10.11.6 Yamaha RX-A2040 owner said firmware 1.91 seems to have solved it.)

For DTS:X compatible receivers, this version adds "DTS Dialog Control" setting (+/-). See earlier notes about this optional feature. I'd hoped this would be a standard feature of all DTS:X movies, but to date I don't think any have that option (object) in the encode.
(For Yamaha BD-A1010 owners, see this note on player settings for using AV Controller app.)

The Yamaha Support/DLs page for these models has a link to "Additional Information about DTS:X™" with info on settings, requirements and usage.(There was also a v1.77 DTS:X firmware update for the CX-A5100 Pre-Pro.)

* About DTS Dialog Control Feature: When DTS:X was first announced, I was excited to see the "Dialog Control" feature, where dialog level could be adjusted separately. (Not just boosting the center channel or a frequency range (e.g. standard 'dialog level' adjust), but the actual movie's dialog.) However it turns out that the DTS Dialog Control adjustment option is only enabled IF the DTS:X disc was encoded with that feature. To date, it seems no DTS:X movie discs have been released with that option. Hopefully mixers will include that in at least some future DTS:X movies as it's one advantage they have over Dolby Atmos. (Atmos has gotten a much better start with far more (and better) titles released so far.)

(Jan 2016) Tips for Repeated Mac Mini HDMI Blackouts with some Yamaha Receivers includes notes and tips on OS X and HDMI Receiver settings, reminder on OS X HDCP tips, my tests with 2012 Mac Mini with Yamaha RX-A3050, RX-A2000 and more. Also includes a FYI on Mac problem reports from some Marantz and Denon receiver owners. (If anyone finds a later firmware that that helps, sent a note. I could not replicate the problem with a 2012 mini running OS X 10.9.5 and Yamaha RX-A2000 or A3050.)

FYI on Network Firmware Updates for Yamaha RX-Ax050 Receivers (2015 models)
Just a note/warning to owners of the latest Yamaha x050 AVRs (RX-A1050/2050/3050) that there's been several reports of firmware update failures using a WiFi internet connection for the network update. (My guess is during the update process the wifi dropped out.) A couple RX-A3050 users reported that they were able to power off/back on and complete the update using a Wired Ethernet connection, however one owner said his A3050 was bricked and required service by Yamaha.
(If you're using a WiFi AVR network connection and switch to Ethernet, make sure you change the AVR's Network Settings to Wired. Then turn the AVR Off and back On, and confirm the AVR Network settings shows Wired is configured.)

Here's Yamaha's instructions on updating the firmware. Follow the steps to select the update method - USB is Default, Network is other option. And again, if using Network option it's highly recommended to use an Ethernet connection, not WiFi. (If distance to the router is a problem, and you can't/don't want to move the AVR temporarily, then buy a long Ethernet cable. It's worth having even if only used temporarily for cases like this.) And if possible, have the AVR and Modem/Router on an UPS just in case of a power dropout.

(Aug 25, 2015) Samsung BD-F7500 Firmware Update v1021.0. (Likely other F series blu-ray players also have an update.) As before, no info on what's changed/fixed in v1021 firmware.
BTW: A reader said he returned his F series Samsung Blu-Ray player after finding out you can't use any Apps (even non-Samsung apps) unless you agree to ALL of Samsung's terms of use, including their 'Recommendation' feature. (Monitoring your usage to 'recommend' similar movies, apps, etc.) Despite the fact allowing the recommendation "feature" is a separate checkbox, if you don't agree to allow/accept both - you can't use any apps on the player. (You can't even view the apps screen without accepting all the terms of use prompts.) Personally I'd prefer a 'dumb' blu-ray player without any of that 'smart'/apps' baggage. (And ditto for TVs.)

Tip for Snowpiercer Blu-Ray Disc in Sony BDP-S1000ES
Just a FYI to other owners of a Sony BDP-S1000ES having problems playing the Snowpiercer blu-ray disc. It appears to hang/freeze after seeing the Weinstein logo - no time shown on the Sony player and no buttons work (FF, Menu, etc). After remembering a similar problem with a different player and disc (Great Gatsby in a Panasonic player, fixed in 1.63 firmware), I decided to just wait several minutes and the Snowpiercer main menu finally appeared. (IIRC it was almost 5 minutes.) I'd twice given up and powered off the Sony, verified disc was clean/undamaged (worked in other players), cleared Flash storage, already had BD Live disabled, firmware was up-to-date - v014. (BTW: I later tested The Great Gatsby blu-ray disc in the S1000ES and it played without any long start delay.)

Reader Tip for owners of Samsung HW-H750 soundbar that can't connect to app after recent firmware (auto) update (1114.7) - reset the soundbar by powering on, holding remote's Repeat button until "INIT" appears on display. Then try connecting again after HW-H750 power up.

(Minor) Blu-Ray Disc Scratch Repair:
Had a friend upset over damage on a blu-ray disc from "possibly the worst disc package he's ever seen" ('Black Sails' season 1) - an extremely tight cardboard sleeve fit. (I'd have used an exacto knife to extend the radius of the 'opening' perhaps but too late.) The first disc removed had over a dozen scratches/scuffs near the hub (straight out) and two long diagonal scratches across the disc, with one scratch having a long 'zig-zag' (Z) pattern. I've seen deeper scratches but can't say as I've ever seen that many on a 'new' (removed once) disc. (Granted I did not see how carefully it was removed but from the looks of it there may have been some grit in the package/surface during original insertion - although these were so tight I wonder if the cardboard was sealed after placing the discs inside - I'm not kidding.)
Since these were not my discs (and being a blu-ray) I didn't want to try the (cheap) disc spinner/'buffer wheel' I had used on some of my badly scratched DVDs in the past. (Or the 'plastic polish' compound I'd used on some HD-DVD 'fogged' discs.) But I remembered an old tip on using (spray) Furniture Polish and had an old can of "Behold" on hand to try - it helped. Before using the polish, at appx 40min in you'd see the video pause/jump ahead a few seconds (and trying to rewind back past that point would hang). No glitches seen after applying the spray polish. Hopefully it lasts awhile but easy to apply again.

"This is caused by the new "BD+" protocol (or Digital Rights Protection system) applied to this title which requires longer decryption time than the value allowed by the player. This firmware adjusted the decryption time and resolved this issue."

Never owned an Oppo but Kudos to them for continuing support for older models to fix this.
(BTW: Saw a later Oppo post saying that only the BDP-10x series players support seamless branching, and may be a factor in audio dropouts with some discs used with BDP-9x and earlier player models. Also said seamless branching was required to fully support Dolby Atmos.)

(Oct. 14, 2014) Oppo BDP-83 problems with X-Men Days of Future Past Blu-Ray:Several reports that the X-Men DoFP Blu-ray disc (just released) wouldn't load - BDP-83 displays "Wrong Disc" and tray ejects. A reader said his BDP-83 was using the latest firmware from March 2012, so he reported the problem to Oppo. (Update: Fixed in new OPPO BDP-83 FW Update.)
The Days of Future Past 3D disc played OK in Samsung BD-F7500 (FW v1017.0) and the 2D disc worked in a (2009) Sony BDP-S1000ES with last FW 14 update from 2012. A later report said no issues with DoFP disc in an Oppo BDP-93, so later models (103/105) may be OK also.(Update: Also saw a report on DoFP Disc errors in an LG BD611 with up-to-date firmware.)

(Oct. 3, 2014) Criterion blog post on Exchanging Defective Discs includes an address to send your disc(s) for replacement, although some owners have reported playback problems with other titles of that era (2009-2010) so YMMV. (Problem is reportedly due to a specific mfg plant?) Owners of now defective OOP titles are concerned if replacements will be available. "Bronzing" often present on affected discs, but not always. Problems ranged from total inability to play to freezes at later points in playback.

(June 16, 2014) Sad to hear Audio Engineer Tom Nousaine passed away. He was a true pioneer in subwoofer testing (and audio myth busting) in the 90's and many benefited from his work. An archive of over 30 of his articles (in PDF format) are at his website: www.nousaine.com.

This isn't news to most readers but AH has a recap/repeat on Truth vs Hype about Expensive HDMI Cables that has a LOL comment ("I was going to buy a new car, but I bought an HDMI cable instead") below a table on insanely expensive ($1000+ per Meter) HDMI cables. But we all know that you can get quality HDMI cables for under $10 (often a pair - i.e AMZ basics) and even the typical 'Brand Name' HDMI cables cost far too much and are often way over-hyped in stores. But for even more laughs, read the review comments on a $500+ USB cable in EDN's USB cables and Audio: Can You Hear the Difference? (Also check out the related links (i.e. cable 'break-in' - I'm not kidding) at the bottom of the article.)

Settings Tip for Using iPad/iPhone Remote Control App for Yamaha BD-A1010 BD Player:
I've seen several posts from owners of the Yamaha BD-A1010 universal/blu-ray player frustrated that their iPad/iPhone (or Android) using the free Yamaha AV Controller app could not "find" the Yamaha BD-A1010 on their network. (Despite some reports, the iOS AV Controller still works with Firmware 1.7712 in a BD-A1010 here.) The Yamaha BD-A1010 *must* have the player's Network Control option set to Yes. (See manual page 33.) This might get overlooked since some Yamaha A/V Receivers (like my RX-A2000) -do not- require any Network/Standby setting to be enabled for the Remote App to work, but the BD-A1010 (and perhaps other players) require Network Control to be enabled. (The RX-A2000 was powered on using the standard remote (IR) since Network standby was set to OFF.) Both BD-A1010 & RX-A2000 were connected via Ethernet to an Apple 802.11n Base's Ethernet hub. (Personally I don't leave Network Control/Standby (or any 'fast start') settings enabled as I don't like having rarely used devices like this in (basically) sleep mode. However if you don't leave it enabled, every time you turn on the BD-A1010 you'd have to enable it for the network Remote App to work.)

Panasonic Blu-ray Remote 2012 App v1.0.4 "Fixed issues on iOS 7". This is a Remote control app for Panasonic DMP-BDT120, DMP-BDT220, DMP-BDT221, DMP-BDT320, DMP-BDT321, DMP-BDT500 and DMP-BBT01 models. (v1.0.4 still current as of March 2017.)

(Nov 25, 2013) Panasonic DMP-BDT220/320/321/500/BBT01 Firmware v1.63Linked page has (PC) self-extracting .exe D/L or Update via Network Update check.(The US DMP-BDT320, BDT500 & BBT01 Firmware page shows v1.63, but download link is still v1.53 as of Aug 2015.)V1.63's changes only say "Playability of Blu-ray Disc". I generally avoid installing updates right away but did test with a BDT500 model and found the 1.63 firmware fixed a 4-5 minute delay playing Great Gatsby (2013) Blu-Ray with firmware 1.53.BTW: After seeing a BDT220 owner problem report w/1.63 firmware, I verified that all Homeland Season 1 Blu-Rays played OK in my Panasonic BDT500 w/1.63 firmware. (He said Homeland S1 discs weren't recognized in a v1.63 updated BDT220 but worked in another BDT220 w/1.53 FW.)I also saw 1 report of problems playing Star Trek Into Darkness 3D disc with Panasonic BDT500 firmware 1.63 but I had no problems with a v1.63 firmware BDT500 playing that 3D disc.
(FYI: Later heard that v1.63 disables analog video out for BDT-500 during BR/AACS playback.)

The Great Gatsby Freezes in Panasonic Blu-Ray Player (Tip) [FW 1.53]
A reader said he returned "The Great Gatsby" (2013) Blu-Ray Disc twice for replacements, but it still would not play in his Panasonic bluray player. (Disc had no scratches or damage.) The Great Gatsby 3D Blu-Ray played fine in both Panasonic BDT500 and 320, but the (2D) Blu-Ray disc seemed to freeze the Panasonic players - display showed 00:00:00, no response to remote or buttons on player. I asked if the player firmware was up-to-date (v1.53 as of 9/18/2013) and if he tried all the usual tips (disable BDLive, with/without SDcard inserted, reformat card/clear stored data, disconnect power from player/reset, etc) - no help. The same disc played OK even in older Sony (S1000) & Yamaha (A1010) players. After searching I found a similar note from another Panasonic player owner and asked he wait 4-5 minutes for the disc to load. (Despite player being unresponsive, just wait.) That worked. Not exactly sure why, but that disc (and perhaps some others) takes a lot longer to start in some Panasonic players. (So long I suspect others may do as he did - cycle power/pull the plug and/or return the disc.) Maybe Panasonic can address this in a future firmware update. (I assume something to do with DRM/java but that's just a guess.)
[Update (11/25/2013): Test with a BDT500 showed this issue was fixed in Firmware Update 1.63.]

Flashing Older Firmware in Yamaha Aventage Receiver:
I've not done this personally (not had a need to so far), but an owner of a Yamaha RX-V1067 (EU version of (US) RX-A1000) reported that he had very low LFE output after updating to firmware v3.43 (not had that problem w/3.43 on my A2000) and was able to backflash to 3.20 firmware by using this procedure:

BackFlashing Yamaha Aventage AVR Firmware (YMMV)

Disconnect AC Power from Receiver (suggest using Switched Outlet strip)

I would only try this in dire cases as it may not work with all models/all previous firmware versions. (IIRC, some firmware updates only update specific portions/functions of the rom and you may end up with an unusable mismatch - although my D/Ls of v3.20, v3.34 and v3.43 are the same size (and should be cumulative up to the downloaded version.) Maybe this service flash method does a complete copy w/o any section/version checks.) Not sure why he used v3.20 instead of the previous 3.34 version but maybe he didn't have v3.34 on hand.

(Bitstreaming) Dolby True-HD Audio Drop Outs (again):
As reported previously, there's been more reports of audio dropouts with another recent Dolby TrueHD Blu-Ray - this time Monsters Inc. (and 'Monsters University'). (Same Dolby TrueHD audio dropout issue previously reported with other recent TrueHD releases like Total Recall (2012), Brave, Finding Nemo, etc. although not everyone had the problem.) And the same workaround/fix - change the Blu-Ray player from Bitstream to PCM audio output. As before however, no issues seen (heard) with bitstreaming these titles with the only setup I have access to - a Panasonic DMP-BDT500 (w/v1.53 firmware) with HDMI 1 (video) direct to an HDTV and HDMI 2 (audio) to a Yamaha RX-A2000 (firmware 3.34) receiver. Zero dropouts with this setup and Monsters Inc 7.1 audio selected, player set to bitstream. (BDLive always disabled.) Ditto (no issue) with TrueHD audio on Total Recall (2012), Brave, etc. (BTW: I have to say the audio and video of the new Monsters Inc 3D release was some of the best I've ever experienced. Outstanding.) I've not tested using a single HDMI connection (both A/V to AVR, then out to TV) but have seen some dropout reports from others using Dual HDMI output player setups including Sony S790 and Oppo BDP-103 owners. (And one Oppo BDP-103 owner said he had audio dropouts bitstreaming Monster Inc's 5.1 audio.) I later saw an Oppo quote that it's related to seamless branching.
Normally with any disc playback issues you'd blame the player/firmware (or new DRM), but I felt the AVR used is a primary factor since with bitstreaming the AVR does the audio decoding. (Unless they player is improperly bitstreaming data.) Using the workaround PCM setting has the Player doing the decode. (However I did see a post from an Onkyo 709 owner saying his Oppo BDP-83 had dropouts (Total Recall 2012), but a Panasonic BDT-110 didn't with the same receiver.) Wish I had a Sony S790 or Oppo to test with my AVR to see if a player change (only) mattered here. Despite the focus on firmware updates/bugfixes for players/AVRs, some felt a change in Dolby's TrueHD encoding is the real culprit. (Originally I'd wondered if the playback problems were related to another new spin on DRM, but audio dropouts can also be caused by a player's lack of support for seamless branching.)
Although many think a replacement disc may help, usually it doesn't. Official (studio/mfr) disc replacement programs in general are rare but have happened at times for some common playback problems. One example was over some Dredd discs that wouldn't play. (I'm not referring to cases of "disc rot", as there has been replacement offers from some studios for that in the past.) There were rumors of redone Total Recall 2012 discs (later disputed) and some have repeatedly swapped blu-rays at retail over TrueHD dropout problems - usually with no change.

HD-DVD Disc "Rot" notes / Tip for Cleaning Discs (HD/DVD/BR/CD):
(FYI: See later post above on some Criterion discs failing and replacements)
After getting a recent heads up from a reader with an HD-DVD Collection about playback problems with several of his HD-DVD discs (most Warner Bros he said - google HD-DVD disc rot for owner posts), I checked my HD-DVDs (16 movies + U2 Rattle and Hum) from 2007 (IIRC, shortly before HD-DVD production was halted) to see if any were now bad. These HD-DVD cases had not opened for at least 3 or 4 years I think, and some I had never used/touched at all. (5 were part of a free bundle with the Toshiba A20 player I bought back then.) I noticed about 1/3 of the HD-DVD discs had areas of (white/milky) clouding on the back side - some worse than others - one looked like there had been some sort of condensation present (i.e. looked like a long drip line down the disc). Most however just had odd shaped areas of white/milky clouding that would not wipe off with water (or the usual fogging by breathing on them) using a microfiber cloth. The worst examples I had were the Bladerunner 5 disc set and the Matrix Ultimate collection. (I should have done the trade-in to Blu-Ray offered years ago but didn't.) So I dusted off/hooked up my Toshiba HD-A20 (w/last firmware update) and tested them. Although some reported cases of discs not recognized at all, most reports cited freezing/lockups part way through the movie (some say at layer change?) so the best test is a complete playback, not just seeing if it plays to the menu, jumping to specific scenes/chapters etc. Here's a summary of what I found in my collection:

I tested several of the worst (clouding) examples (and discs I liked most - Blade Runner disc 1, Matrix 1, FMJ) in the Toshiba A20 and they played all the way through. (I'd forgotten how good they looked.) I separated out all discs that showed any clouding at all and will test them as time allows. (This was before using the plastic polish.)

It may not be related, but I also noticed that -all- of the HD-DVD cases that had glossy interiors had a layer of some sort of film/fogging on them. (As if the plastic had outgassed over time, or was it just related to mfg plastic mold release?) A couple cases had a matte/pebble-like finish inside (i.e. Unforgiven) and were still pristine. The heavily clouded discs were all from the cases with glossy interiors btw.

Some think the problem with HD-DVD disc 'rot' was from a specific batch or mfr. (Google 'hd-dvd rot cinram' and you'll see some hits, including one on LaserDisc rot.) I wasn't able to tell if any of mine were made by cinram but did notice two different disc types: all silver on the back and others with a white center ring. (The worst clouding examples were the white ring disc type.)

(Cloudy) Disc Cleaning Tip: One tip I saw for cleaning the discs to remove the milky clouding was using plastic polish. I remembered years ago (2005 or so) I'd bought some "Meguiar's Scratch-X" (fine scratch and swirl remover) to polish haze out of an old mustang's plastic speedometer lens. (Never tried the later Scratch-X "2.0".) I used a small amount of it on the discs (worst examples first), just lightly rubbing it with a finger around the back of the disc. Waited a few seconds and buffed it off with just toilet paper. Bingo - all the clouding was gone. (I was impressed at how well the Scratch-X worked for this, but I have not tried it for scratches on discs, and only would if any were bad enough to affect playback.)

This isn't a new problem and I suspect few even have these now but for anyone with a HD-DVD disc rot problem that cleaning doesn't fix, a thread at AVForums titled Warner Brothers HD-DVD's Disk Rot has some posts (i.e. April 2012) with WB contact info to try and get replacements (or swaps for BR), not always possible - YMMV. This is a long post (and maybe should have been put on a separate page) but perhaps the cleaning tip may be useful for owners of other Discs (CD/DVD/BR).

"I have received a final update from our business team as well as the vendor, and I wanted to make sure to pass this on to all of you. After all of their research, they have been able to isolate this problem to a specific number of copies of this movie. Due to the number of affected discs, customers are being asked to contact Lionsgate directly with any issues. They can be reached at 1-877-230-2756 or by emailing lionsgateshop@orderassistance.com."

(Dec 19, 2012) Lots of reports of (TrueHD) Audio dropouts with the (2012) Total Recall blu-ray. (A workaround cited is switching the BR player to output PCM vs Bitstream.) Many reports from Oppo owners as well as Sony (including latest 590, 790 models) and perhaps other models/brands. I suspect it might be related to another spin on DRM and may require yet another firmware update to players (or AVRs). Some are calling for the studio to exchange/replace discs (w/fix) but I doubt that will happen. Since it's not a universal issue with all players, I suspect it's player related (firmware/chipset, lack of seamless branching support).

Test Report: SVS PC-13 Ultra Subwoofer
(Assuming the amp's port tune option was set to match the port plug config (?), their 16Hz tune +/-3dB results look suspect. (It's only 1Hz lower than the 20Hz Tune results.) But the common (on both 16Hz & 20Hz graphs) peak/hump centered around 45Hz is a factor. I'd expect a flatter resonse in that area than their results when done outdoors. (Typical test environment, done to rule out any room effects.) Despite comments they followed SVS (Ed's) suggestions, perhaps test mic location may have affected FR results. (Driver on bottom and ports on top both contribute.)
I own an older (pre-Sledge amp) PC13 Ultra bought used and needing a Bash amp repair. Absolutely no regrets and it's performed great in my room(s). (Actually better than the box in my rooms.) I prefer the cylinder as it's easier to move (easy to get access to Amp/settings vs box) and despite the box having perhaps a couple db more at the bottom end, no complaints on performance.